A song is a piece of musical composition that includes lyrics and melody. It may be sung by a solo singer, accompanied by other musicians or even by an entire orchestra. Songs can be created for specific occasions or events and are often used to convey emotion and meaning. Songs have been used throughout history to express love, anger, fear and happiness. Some songs are very complex in structure and can be interpreted on many levels.
Speech and music have been combined from earliest times, creating the phenomenon of a song. Music heightens the effect of words, allowing them to be delivered with a projection and intensity that is impossible with mere speech. Many cultures have specific traditions of singing, influenced by variables such as the ideals of social interaction and perceptions of the spirit world. Some cultures value a relaxed vocal quality with freely articulated lyrics, while others prefer a more trained sound and precisely enunciated words.
There is no universally agreed upon definition of what constitutes a song. It is generally understood to be a piece of music that uses melody, harmony and rhythm to convey a story or emotion. However, there are a multitude of styles and genres of songs, each with its own set of rules and conventions. A song can be as simple as a single note repeated over and over, or as complicated as a symphony written by a renowned composer.
It is important for songwriters to understand their motivations for writing songs. For example, if the writer is writing to make money, their style and content will be different than if they are writing for art, beauty or therapeutic purposes. Staying grounded in your original motivations can help you to make better and more interesting songs.